Employers aren’t the only ones who should be asking questions during job interviews. As a candidate, your questions are just as important – and in fact, recruiters and hiring managers expect you to raise them.
Asking thought-provoking questions demonstrates your knowledge of the company and the role, as well as your level of interest in the job opportunity. The process helps both you and your prospective employer to really get to know one another.
Your questions show that you:
- Are enthusiastic. They let your interviewer know that you are excited to be considered as a candidate.
- Have come prepared. They show that you mean business and are serious about adding value if hired.
What Should You Ask?
By asking the right questions, you not only distinguish yourself from other contenders for the job but also determine whether the position is the right fit for you. If you’re not sure what to ask, here are some ideas to get you started:
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“How has this job evolved since it was created?”
Getting a history of the role can help clarify whether or not the position and its responsibilities have expanded over time. If it’s a static role, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on what you, specifically, are looking for.
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“What have past employees done in order to succeed in this role?”
Knowing how a company measures achievements will help you understand what the job expectations are and whether you have the skill set and personality to meet them. But, don’t let yourself be narrowly defined by what other people have done. You’re a different person – and you are likely to approach the role from a new perspective. This question also may give you a better feel for company culture. Typically, what one person does in order to succeed is what the organization as a whole tends to do.
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“What do you like best about working here?”
A prospective employer can relay what they value most about their job and their company. Then, you can tell whether or not you share those values and could envision yourself working there. If they struggle to come up with anything positive to say, take it as a red flag that you may not like it there, either.
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“What is the number one priority for the person in this job, during their first three months?”
This is helpful to know, so you can focus on the right things if hired. Without clear expectations, you won’t know what to accomplish first or how to start out on the right foot.
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“What are some challenges that will face the person you hire?”
You owe it to yourself to know what you will be up against; for example, a tight budget, odd hours, or monotonous assignments. Do a reality check. Look for candor and honesty in your interviewer’s response. Of course, they want to sell you on working for them, but if they deny any downside whatsoever, that should raise doubts in your mind about their credibility. There will always be challenges, in any job.
For coaching, guidance and additional resources as you interview for your next career step – or to gain access to top positions in the Central Valley region and beyond, contact the PrideStaff Modesto team today. We can help make your next dream job a reality.
